TagAirport Expansion(155)

A 1992 position statement argues that Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac) has reached its operational, economic, and environmental capacity and should be capped at a maximum of 380,000 operations per year with no third runway authorized. The document contends that noise impacts on surrounding communities are severely underestimated, that a third runway would make no operational or economic sense, and that alternatives such as demand management, use of existing regional airports, and improved transportation systems should be pursued instead.

The 1989 Airport Capacity Enhancement Plan, produced by the FAA and U.S. Department of Transportation, outlines efforts to increase airport capacity and efficiency across the U.S. air system without compromising passenger safety or the environment. It identifies causes of capacity and delay problems, projects the impact of increased air traffic over the following decade, and describes planned projects covering airport development, airspace procedures, new equipment, and capacity planning studies. Note: this document addresses national airport capacity issues broadly and does not focus specifically on Sea-Tac Airport or local noise policy.

This 1985 Master Plan Update, prepared by Peat Marwick/TRA for the Port of Seattle, outlines the long-term development strategy for Sea-Tac International Airport to handle projected growth in air traffic through the early 2000s. The plan rules out construction of new runways due to existing capacity, prior investment, and environmental concerns, while recommending expansion of the passenger terminal complex to accommodate up to 55 air carrier gates and 25 commuter airline gates. Planning activity levels projected total annual passengers growing from 12.5 million in the short term to 21 million in the long term.

At a June 5, 1979 meeting, the Port of Seattle Hardship Acquisition Committee unanimously recommended the early purchase of Parcel A-447, owned by Mrs. Carrie Cochrane, under special hardship acquisition criteria. The Committee determined that Mrs. Cochrane's physical and financial condition could worsen if she remained in her current home until the regularly scheduled acquisition, approximately two years away. The recommendation was signed by Committee Chairperson W. Thomas Ruttkay on July 20, 1979.

In a May 1976 letter to King County Councilwoman Bernice Stern, Seattle Port Commission President Henry T. Simonson outlined two key decisions regarding land adjacent to Sea-Tac International Airport. The Port ruled out acquiring the 35-acre 'west acquisition area' due to high costs, excessive development expenses, and lack of foreseeable airport-related demand, while agreeing that any existing development there must follow carefully formulated guidelines. For the 'southeast conversion area' — 85 small homes in Lowe's Terrace Subdivision — the Port acknowledged that standard acoustic insulation treatment may not be cost-effective, and flagged the neighborhood as a candidate for a special purchase guarantee program to assist with gradual land-use conversion.